getting the day started

aloha friends, 
 
it’s early this morning, i’m trying to beat the sun as it gets hotter and hotter each day.  while i wear loads of sun screen it’s hart to avoid getting sun burned. it’s pretty different what it takes to get the day started here.  first thing i do is see how badly the ants got my legs that night, and apply a fresh layer of sunblock and off.  if i want coffee, and i always do, i have to get up early enough to start a fire for water. once it’s boiling it’s pretty easy with my coffee thing-a-ma-giggy i brought with me.  to get to the orphanage, or the office where i am now i have to cross the river, which can be a challenge in itself.  then walk the town greeting pigs, goats, and lots of chickens.  i crack up at what it takes to get to work each day.  i could wait for a ride, but i kind of like getting an early start, and a little extra exercise.  that’s my morning!
 
last night i was awaken by an intruder, mr. crab in the picture attached.  apparently it’s crab season and he was seeking a get-away in my tent.  that’s the last time i’ll leave my tent unzipped!  i was glad to see it was only him, i woke up thinking it was a rat that i was sharing my tent with!

 
well it’s down to the count down here, with just over a week left.  i haven’t had much Internet time as i’m working as long a day as possible.  the shelter at the orphanage is going great, the roof should go on in the next day or so.  talk about pressure, to know the kids sleep on the ground in tents until it is finished!  the haitian guys helping me have such endurance, i personally can only handle so much in the heat.  it’s around a hundred in the heat of the day.
 
i’ve had lots of baby time lately.  once the ladies realized i like to hold the babies, and know how to, they keep them coming.  i love the way they stare up at me, probably thinking who’s this strange white hippie holding me! they are so darn cute, so tiny.  the one baby girl i’ve sent a couple of pictures of is definitely putting weight on.  the twin girls aren’t at the orphanage any more, but i know they are doing great as well.  the mother that lost her son seems to be healthy as well, and already back to taking care of her other children and working.  can you imagine being pregnant here?  i know i’m not a female, but i imagine they can’t confirm they are pregnant until about two months.  then they just wait, no doctors appointments, no special treatment, no vitamins or additional food.  then, one day there water breaks, where ever they are.  from what i hear most babies are born very fast, no long labour, just adjust where you are, and have that baby.  it’s just the way things are.  the last baby born at the orphanage the lady sat on a cement block, and pushed it out.  that’s not an exaggeration! 
 
pictures: the one is my daily staple, beans & rice.  that is what most people here live on, i certainly have.  one is of the students in there uniforms, all students have to wear uniforms to attend school.  emmanuel is the cutest, he’s like a little old man, in a tiny little body, i love him.
 
have a great week everyone,
 
bryce

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